Toilet plunger shroud

ABSTRACT

A device for removing obstructions from a drain is provided and is in the configuration of a toilet plunger having an agitator element for promoting movement of fluid and a shroud. The agitator element includes a driver having a cup that is formed with a plurality of accordion-like ribs or is semi-spherical in shape. The shroud limits any flow of fluid into a buffer space between the agitator element and the shroud, thereby operating as an anti-splash feature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device for removing obstructionsin a drain and, more particularly, to a device for removing obstructionsin a drain having a movable portion for promoting fluid movement and ashroud for limiting fluid splashing. In a particularly usefulconfiguration, the present invention is directed to a toilet plunger anda shroud for limiting fluid splashing.

When a person operates a toilet plunger, water from the toilet canproject upwardly when the person pushes down and pulls up on theplunger. In addition, water in the toilet can sway or slosh around thetoilet bowl which limits the thrust pressure. The projection of thewater can easily come in contact with the user. There have been variousattempts to deal with this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,555 issued toBonilla; U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,170 issued to Witt; U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,368issued to Webb; U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,730 issued to Pardo; and U.S. Pat.No. 6,035,456 issued to Taylor all show splash guards for use withtoilet plungers. These prior patents do not eliminate or reduce thesplash which occurs when a person is operating a toilet plunger, butsimply attempt to block the splash from coming in contact with the user.This is the so-called splash guard technique. Obviously these priordevices will not work very well if the splash gets past the splashguard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anadvantageous approach to the problem of water projecting upwardly when aperson manually manipulates a device such as a toilet plunger forclearing a drain of obstructions.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device forclearing a drain of obstructions that has a relatively compactconfiguration that permits ready and convenient storage of the device.

The present invention offers a novel advantageous approach to theproblem of water projecting upwardly when the person pulls up and downon the plunger, in that the present invention provides a shroud whichencases the entire cup of the plunger and, in some embodiments, portionsof the handle of the plunger. By shrouding of the cup, water isdisplaced before the plunger is used and the plunger does not createsubstantial splash in the first place. To those ends, one aspect of thepresent invention is directed to a device for removing obstructions froma drain through which fluid drains from a fluid retaining structure. Thedevice for removing obstructions comprises an agitator element forpromoting movement of fluid, the agitator element including a drainfacing portion defining an open end, a drain remote portion, and adriver intermediate the drain facing portion and the drain remoteportion, the open end of the drain facing portion being positionable inat least partial overlapping relationship with the drain, the driverbeing operatively connected to the drain facing portion, the agitatorelement having a peripheral region and a reference center line passingthrough the peripheral region, and the peripheral region of the agitatorelement is intermediate the drain remote portion and the open end of thedrain facing portion relative to the reference center line. It alsocomprises a shroud, the shroud having a distal portion. The shroud andthe peripheral region of the agitator element are joined in asubstantially fluid impervious manner, the shroud having a proximateportion that is more proximate to the drain remote end of the agitatorelement than the distal portion of the shroud, and the shroud extendingradially outwardly from the agitator element relative to the referencecenter line along the extent of the shroud between its distal portionand its proximate portion such that a buffer space is delimited betweenthe agitator element and the shroud. The agitator element ispositionable in a fluid retaining structure that retains a fluid volumehaving a top surface and whose drain is submerged below the retainedfluid volume. The agitator element is also positionable relative to thefluid retaining structure such that the open end of the drain facingportion is in at least partial overlapping relationship with the drainand the shroud extends into the retained fluid volume. The agitatorelement is operable, when positioned relative to the fluid retainingstructure, to apply a motive force to fluid via a movement of thedriver, and the extent of the shroud between its distal portion and itsproximate portion being such that the proximate portion of the shroud isabove the top surface of the retained fluid volume during a movement ofthe driver of the agitator element, whereupon the shroud limits any flowof fluid into the buffer space between the agitator element and theshroud.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the presentinvention is directed to a shroud comprising a distal portion and aproximate portion. The shroud is operable with an agitator element forpromoting movement of fluid, the agitator element having a drain facingportion defining an open end, a drain remote portion, and a driverintermediate the drain facing portion and the drain remote portion, theopen end of the drain facing portion being positionable in at leastpartial overlapping relationship with the drain. The driver beingoperatively connected to the drain facing portion, the agitator elementhaving a peripheral region and a reference center line passing throughthe peripheral region, and the peripheral region of the agitator elementis intermediate the drain remote portion and the open end of the drainfacing portion relative to the reference center line and the distalportion and the peripheral region of the agitator element being joinedin a substantially fluid impervious manner. The proximate portion of theshroud is more proximate to the drain remote end of the agitator elementthan the distal portion of the shroud, and the shroud extends radiallyoutwardly from the agitator element relative to the reference centerline along the extent of the shroud between its distal portion and itsproximate portion such that a buffer space is delimited between theagitator element and the shroud The agitator element is positionable ina fluid retaining structure that retains a fluid volume having a topsurface and whose drain is submerged below the retained fluid volume Theagitator element is also positionable relative to the fluid retainingstructure such that the open end of the drain facing portion is in atleast partial overlapping relationship with the drain and the shroudextends into the retained fluid volume. The agitator element isoperable, when positioned relative to the fluid retaining structure, toapply a motive force to fluid via a movement of the driver, and theextent of the shroud between its distal portion and its proximateportion being such that the proximate portion of the shroud is above thetop surface of the retained fluid volume during a movement of the driverof the agitator element, whereupon the shroud limits any flow of fluidinto the buffer space between the agitator element and the shroud.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, thepresent invention is directed to a toilet plunger, comprising a plungercup, a handle attached to the plunger cup, and a shroud secured to theplunger cup with the shroud, on the one hand, and the handle and theplunger cup, on the other hand, defining therebetween a hollow space,and the shroud having an extent sufficient to extend above the waterlevel of a toilet when the plunger cup is disposed over a drain of thetoilet in contact with a basin of the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention is now described with referenceto the following figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, whereby acone-shaped shroud is attached to the cup of the plunger.

FIG. 2 shows the shroud of FIG. 1 without the plunger.

FIG. 3 shows a shroud, which is similar to the shroud of FIG. 2,connected to another type of plunger, portions of which are receivedinside of a toilet.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, whereby theplunger is being inserted into the shroud and the shroud has not yetbeen locked to the plunger cup.

FIG. 5 shows a partial view of FIG. 4 but with the shroud locked to theplunger cup.

FIG. 6 shows the shroud of FIG. 4 without the plunger.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a device for removing obstructionfrom a drain with portions of the device shown in operating dispositionin a fluid retaining structure in the form of a toilet.

FIG. 8 shows a further additional embodiment of a device for removingobstruction from a drain.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the further additional embodiment of adevice for removing obstruction from a drain shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is provided toiletplunger 10 having plunger cup 12 attached to handle 14. A hollow shroud16 is received over the major portion of plunger cup 12 and a portion ofhandle 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, shroud 16 is somewhatcone shaped. Handle 14 extends through opening 18 of the shroud. Whileshroud 16 fully encloses and thus would hide from view portions ofplunger cup 12 and handle 14, those items are shown through the shroudin FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 for clarification. Shroud 16 includes lower edge20, which may be adhered, attached, molded or locked to the lowerportion of plunger cup 12. By the edges 20 making contact with the lowerportion of cup 12, water from the toilet does not tend to enter into thehollow inside of shroud 16. In addition, the air filled hollow shroud 16displaced the water which would normally splash if an unshrouded plungeror a plunger with a splash guard were used. Thus, when plunger 10 isbeing operated, the likelihood that the water will splash is greatlyreduced.

FIG. 3 shows toilet plunger 22, which is of a different design thantoilet plunger 10 of FIG. 1. Cup 24 of toilet plunger 22 includes aplurality of accordion-like ribs 26. The shroud 28, which covers aportion of cup 24 as well as handle 30 of toilet plunger 22, is moremilk-bottle shaped than the cone-shaped shroud 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.3 illustrates the shrouded plunger 22 having been inserted into toiletbasin 32 containing water 34. As can be seen, shroud 28 occupies avolume, including air, within toilet 32, which was occupied by waterprior to the shrouded plunger having been inserted into toilet basin 32.The invention thus displaces a substantial amount of the water whichcould splash if the shroud were not used. The shape of the shroud mayvary although it is preferable that the top of the shroud besubstantially higher than the water level and preferably higher than therim of the toilet bowl so as to displace the water and create an aircavity around the cup.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. In that embodiment, shroud 36 is somewhat cylindrical inshape and includes a lower portion of 38 having a similar shape to thelower portion of 40 of cup 42, which forms a portion of plunger 44.Plunger 44 also includes handle 46. The upper opening 48 of shroud 36 ismuch larger than the openings 18 and 29 of shrouds 16 and 28,respectively. FIG. 4 shows the shroud 36 is not yet physically connectedto cup 42. Thus, cup 42 is free to travel within shroud 36 and the lowerportion 40 of cup 46 passes through or aligns with the lower opening 38of shroud 36. However, when the plunger/shroud embodiment of FIGS. 4-6is placed into the toilet, preferably the lower portion 40 of plungercup 42 passes through the opening of lower portion 38 of shroud 36 andthe shroud and cup are locked together so water will not enter the loweropening of the shroud. In that situation shoulders 50 and 52 of thelower portion 40 of cup 42 engage with shoulders 54 and 56 of the lowerportion 38 of shroud 36. Shroud 36 includes indented rim 51 forming aninward projection which extends around lower portion 38 of shroud 36. Ascan be seen in FIG. 5, rim 51 engages with flange 53 which extendsaround lower portion 40 of plunger cup 42 so as to form a seal betweenplunger cup 42 and shroud 36 and to lock the shroud and seal together.This seal prevents water from entering into the inside of shroud 36.Thus, as the plunger is operated there is much less likelihood thatwater will splash upwardly through opening 48 of shroud 36.

FIG. 7 shows a device for removing obstruction from a drain withportions of the device shown in operating disposition in a fluidretaining structure in the form of a toilet. FIG. 7 shows a device forremoving obstruction from a drain in the configuration of a toiletplunger 122. The toilet plunger 122 includes an agitator element 123 forpromoting movement of fluid, the agitator element including a driverhaving a cup 124 that is formed with a plurality of accordion-like ribs126. The toilet plunger 122 includes a handle 130 and a shroud 128having an upper opening 129 and the toilet plunger 122 includes a handle130 that projects through the upper opening 129 in the shroud 128. Theshroud 128 covers a portion of the cup 124 as well as a portion of thehandle 130. FIG. 7 illustrates the toilet plunger 122 having beeninserted into a fluid retaining structure in the form of a toilet havinga toilet basin 132 containing a fluid in the form of water 134. Thetoilet includes a drain 136 at a lower portion of the toilet basin 132and the drain 136 is submerged below the water 134 in the toilet basis132. The water 134 in the toilet basin 132 has a top surface or waterlevel 138. As can be seen, the shroud 128 occupies a volume, includingair, within toilet basin 132, which was occupied by water prior to thetoilet plunger 122 having been inserted into the toilet basin 132. Thetoilet plunger 122 thus displaces a substantial amount of the waterwhich could splash if the shroud 128 were not used. The shape of theshroud 128 may vary although it is preferable that the top of the shroudbe substantially higher than the water level 138 and preferably higherthan the rim of the toilet basin 132 so as to displace the water andcreate an air cavity around the cup 124.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the agitator element 123 includes adrain facing portion 140 defining an open end 142, a drain remoteportion 144, and the driver including the cup 124, this cup 124 beingintermediate the drain facing portion 140 and the drain remote portion144. The open end 142 of the drain facing portion 140 is positionable inat least partial overlapping relationship with the drain 136 and the cup124 of the driver is operatively connected to the drain facing portion140. The agitator element 123 has a peripheral region 146 and areference center line REF-CL passing through the peripheral region 146,and the peripheral region 146 of the agitator element 123 isintermediate the drain remote portion 144 and the open end 142 of thedrain facing portion 140 relative to the reference center line REF-CL.The shroud 128 has a distal portion 148 connected to the peripheralregion 146 of the agitator element 123 in a substantially fluidimpervious manner and has a proximate portion 150 that is more proximateto the drain remote end 144 of the agitator element 123 than the distalportion 148. The proximate portion 150 forms the upper opening 129. Theshroud 128 extends radially outwardly from the agitator element 123relative to the reference center line REF-CL along the extent of theshroud 123 between its distal portion 148 and its proximate portion 150such that a buffer space 152 is delimited between the agitator element123 and the shroud 128. The volume of the buffer space 152 within theshroud 128 is preferably between 50% to 80% of the volume of the portionof the agitator element 132 within the shroud 128. The spacing of theinterior surface of the shroud 128 from the agitator element 123, asmeasured perpendicularly to the reference center line REF-CL within thebuffer space 152 generally at the level of the top surface of the waterin the toilet basin 123 in which the toilet plunger 122 is deployed, hasa minimum value of five percent (5%) of the transverse width of theagitator element 132 measured perpendicularly to the reference centerline REF-CL at the same location and, preferably, has a value of atleast ten percent (10%) of the transverse width of the agitator element132.

The agitator element 123 is positionable relative to the toilet basin132 such that the open end 142 of the drain facing portion 140 is in atleast partial overlapping relationship with the drain 136 and the shroud128 extends into the retained fluid volume—namely, the water 134. Theagitator element 123 is operable, when positioned relative to the toiletbasin 132, to apply a motive force to fluid via a movement of thedriver—specifically, when a movement of the driver is caused by manuallymanipulation of the handle 130 by an operator, the accordion-like ribs126 of the cup 124 contract toward one another or extend away from oneanother and the interior volume of the cup 124 is correspondinglyreduced or enlarged. The changes or fluctuations in the interior volumeof the cup 124 produces a motive force that acts on water 134 that hasentered the agitator element 123 via the open end 142 of the drainfacing portion, thereby promoting dislodgement of any obstructions thatmay be present in the drain 136. The extent of the shroud 128 betweenits distal portion 148 and its proximate portion 150 is such that theproximate portion 150 of the shroud 128 is above the top surface orwater level 138 of the water 134 during the movements of the driver ofthe agitator element 123, whereupon the shroud 128 limits any flow offluid into the buffer space 152 between the agitator element 123 and theshroud 128.

FIG. 8 shows a further additional embodiment of a device for removingobstruction from a drain and this embodiment is configured as a drainclearing device 200. As seen in FIG. 9, which shows an exploded view ofthe drain clearing device shown in FIG. 8, the drain clearing device 200comprises a soft flexible rubber head 202 attached to a cylinder body204 using a large stainless steel worm clamp 206 which is tightened orloosened by a driving head 208. The cylinder body 204 is capped off witha PVC cap 210 which is glued into position. A hole is formed in the sideof the cap 210 and is connected to by a downwardly directed guidesurface 212 which directs any material emerging from the hole downwardlytoward the bottom end and onto the outer surface of the body 204. Thecylinder body 204 contains a plunger in the form of a rod 214 with apiston 216 at the lower end and a surrounding handle 218 at the upperend made from soft but yet stiff sponge material and is held in place byfriction or a tight fit onto the plunger rod 214.

The rubber injection molded piston 216 is formed as a generally annularband with an outside dimension just smaller than the inside dimension ofcylindrical body 204 so as to slide inside the cylinder. The band isformed with slightly conical top and bottom portions which taperoutwardly toward the top and bottom respectively to form top and bottomedges which are slightly larger than the diameter of the cylinder 204and thus act as seals against the inside surface of the cylinder toeffectively prevent the passage of air and water. The injection moldedrubber piston 216 is designed to draw water via suction of, or forcewater into or out, a toilet basin, a bathroom sink drain hole, or abathtub drain hole. The present invention has been described as operablewith any suitable plunger that applies an unclogging action to a drainand it is to be understood that the advantages of the device of thepresent invention will still be obtained even if the respective plungercreates only an incomplete suction action relative to a drain that, as aresult, leads to a back flow in the drain area. Even when used in suchcircumstances, the device of the present invention beneficiallyminimizes or fully prevents an undesired upward splashing of water whena person manually manipulates the plunger to clear the drain ofobstructions. Also, while the plunger may be formed of a single“self-standing” rubber component with a bell-shaped curvature or mayinclude several accordion-like ribs, it is to be understood that thedevice of the present invention is equally suitable for use with aplunger having another geometry or being formed of materials other thanrubber. For example, the plunger may be formed with a membrane materialthat is secured to the plunger handle and whose interior volume can beincreased and decreased (to produce a suction effect) via manualmanipulation of the plunger handle.

From the foregoing description of one embodiment of the invention, itwill be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will beunderstood that this embodiment of the invention is an exemplificationof the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

1. A device for removing obstructions from a drain through which fluiddrains from a fluid retaining structure, the device for removingobstructions comprising: an agitator element for promoting movement offluid, the agitator element including a drain facing portion defining anopen end, a drain remote portion, and a driver intermediate the drainfacing portion and the drain remote portion, the open end of the drainfacing portion being positionable in at least partial overlappingrelationship with the drain, the driver being operatively connected tothe drain facing portion, the agitator element having a peripheralregion and a reference center line passing through the peripheralregion, and the peripheral region of the agitator element isintermediate the drain remote portion and the open end of the drainfacing portion relative to the reference center line; and a shroud, theshroud having a distal portion, the distal portion of the shroud and theperipheral region of the agitator element being joined in asubstantially fluid impervious manner, the shroud having a proximateportion that is more proximate to the drain remote end of the agitatorelement than the distal portion of the shroud, and the shroud extendingradially outwardly from the agitator element relative to the referencecenter line along the extent of the shroud between its distal portionand its proximate portion such that a buffer space is delimited betweenthe agitator element and the shroud, the agitator element beingpositionable in a fluid retaining structure that retains a fluid volumehaving a top surface and whose drain is submerged below the retainedfluid volume, the agitator element being positionable relative to thefluid retaining structure such that the open end of the drain facingportion is in at least partial overlapping relationship with the drainand the shroud extends into the retained fluid volume, the agitatorelement being operable, when positioned relative to the fluid retainingstructure, to apply a motive force to fluid via a movement of thedriver, and the extent of the shroud between its distal portion and itsproximate portion being such that the proximate portion of the shroud isabove the top surface of the retained fluid volume during a movement ofthe driver of the agitator element, whereupon the shroud limits any flowof fluid into the buffer space between the agitator element and theshroud.
 2. The device for removing obstructions according to claim 1,wherein the driver includes a cup communicated with the drain facing endand an interior volume defined by the cup and the drain facing end isvariable in volume via manipulation of the driver.
 3. The device forremoving obstructions according to claim 2, wherein the drain facing endis formed of a deformable rubber material.
 4. The device for removingobstructions according to claim 3, wherein the agitator element includesa handle that is connected to the driver.
 5. The device for removingobstructions according to claim 4, wherein the driver has asemi-spherical shape with a largest diameter portion delimited by a rim,the rim delimits the open end of the drain facing portion of theagitator element, and the rim of the driver is adapted to be in contactwith the fluid retaining structure in the operating disposition of thedevice.
 6. The device for removing obstructions according to claim 5,wherein the rim of the driver forms the peripheral region of theagitator element and the distal portion of the shroud is joined to therim of the driver.
 7. The device for removing obstructions according toclaim 1, wherein the shroud includes an upper opening and the handleextends through the upper opening of the shroud.
 8. The device forremoving obstructions according to claim 1, wherein the driver is a cuphaving a plurality of accordion-like ribs and manually manipulation ofthe agitator element causes the accordion-like ribs of the cup tocontract toward one another or extend away from one another and theinterior volume of the cup is correspondingly reduced or enlarged
 9. Thedevice for removing obstructions according to claim 8, wherein theshroud includes an indented rim forming an inward projection thatextends around the distal portion of the shroud and the indented rimengages with a flange that extends around the cup so as to form a sealbetween the cup and the shroud.
 10. The device for removing obstructionsaccording to claim 1, wherein the driver includes a chamber having aninner surface and communicated with the drain facing end and a pistonreciprocable in the chamber, the piston having a periphery in engagementwith the inner surface of the chamber in a manner in which the passageof fluid past the piston is substantially prevented, and movement of thepiston relative to the chamber acts to selectively draw fluid into thechamber or force fluid out of the chamber.
 11. A shroud comprising: adistal portion; and a proximate portion, the shroud being operable withan agitator element for promoting movement of fluid, the agitatorelement having a drain facing portion defining an open end, a drainremote portion, and a driver intermediate the drain facing portion andthe drain remote portion, the open end of the drain facing portion beingpositionable in at least partial overlapping relationship with thedrain, the driver being operatively connected to the drain facingportion, the agitator element having a peripheral region and a referencecenter line passing through the peripheral region, and the peripheralregion of the agitator element is intermediate the drain remote portionand the open end of the drain facing portion relative to the referencecenter line and the distal portion and the peripheral region of theagitator element being joined in a substantially fluid imperviousmanner, the proximate portion of the shroud being more proximate to thedrain remote end of the agitator element than the distal portion of theshroud, and the shroud extending radially outwardly from the agitatorelement relative to the reference center line along the extent of theshroud between its distal portion and its proximate portion such that abuffer space is delimited between the agitator element and the shroud,the agitator element being positionable in a fluid retaining structurethat retains a fluid volume having a top surface and whose drain issubmerged below the retained fluid volume, the agitator element beingpositionable relative to the fluid retaining structure such that theopen end of the drain facing portion is in at least partial overlappingrelationship with the drain and the shroud extends into the retainedfluid volume, the agitator element being operable, when positionedrelative to the fluid retaining structure, to apply a motive force tofluid via a movement of the driver, and the extent of the shroud betweenits distal portion and its proximate portion being such that theproximate portion of the shroud is above the top surface of the retainedfluid volume during a movement of the driver of the agitator element,whereupon the shroud limits any flow of fluid into the buffer spacebetween the agitator element and the shroud.
 12. A toilet plunger,comprising: a plunger cup; a handle attached to the plunger cup; and ashroud secured to the plunger cup with the shroud, on the one hand, andthe handle and the plunger cup, on the other hand, defining therebetweena hollow space, and the shroud having an extent sufficient to extendabove the water level of a toilet when the plunger cup is disposed overa drain of the toilet in contact with a basin of the toilet.